"tendering" a marsh boat (alone)

Jim Boyer

Active member
This summer I purchased a Four Rivers Migrator. Since I mostly "solo" hunt the Mississippi River (pool 13), getting it to the spots required a "tender" or towing. I am not comfortable with towing alone in the dark, so the choice was rather simple.

There were two obstacles to overcome. First of all my left shoulder is up for surgery in November (completely torn ligament that needs to be re-attached). Fortunately, I can lift my gun to shoot (it only hurts some). Doc wasn't happy with the delay, but that's another story. Secondly, being 73, I'm a little low on muscle mass.

Therefore, these issues were overcome with physics. Here's a bookmark link to the explanation of the apparatus and photos of the first time it was used (in the field - Iowa opener). It was an easy do.

//http://www.kwicklabs.com/KwickJournalMaintenanceMode.htm#Migrator loading apparatus
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Jim
As Eric says "its a slick get up" but man, doing it alone and on the Mississippi would be a no no. I say that , prior to having 2 shoulder surgeries and hunting as I have, you are pushing the envelope. At the age of 73 you've evidently led a full life so why chance it for a duck? I say that knowing many on here would go including myself.:)
 
"doing it alone and on the Mississippi would be a no no....you are pushing the envelope....at the age of 73 you've evidently led a full life so why chance it for a duck?"

I understand where you are coming from. After some reflection, I'd have to say that I don't do it for the ducks. They are just a bonus. I've hunted alone most of my life. The risks are always there, but experience tends to minimize them. Knowing your personal limitations is a prerequisite.

I got the injured shoulder falling down the stairs at home....dam bifocals. At my age risk lurks everywhere.....then again living on the edge is the only way to go. Hunting the Mississippi is a whole lot more fun than walking down to the "rec" room. To date it has been safer. I'll stop hunting alone when I am physically no longer able. I'm already planning and seeing "easier" hunts in my routines.

The phone, GPS location capabilities and instant radar/weather reports reduce a lot of the chance for errors. In fact with almost instant input, I feel much safer now than just a few years ago. Pool 13 has become very familiar and I have a boat that can handle way more than the weather I tend to confront.

I quit reading the obituaries. Too many "participants" went out way too early by not taking care of themselves when they were younger. Never smoking and totally giving up alcohol a very long time ago has paid off in huge physical benefits.

Did you know that loosing 50 pounds makes walking in the muck much easier? There are overweight hunters out there every day much younger than me that are at a greater risk.....even when hunting with someone else.

Interestingly, it has been inspiring to watch those "old guys" in the northwest live a much tougher life......every single day. I've decided to remain consistent (some may say stubborn) for at least a couple more years. Unfortunately, my four dogs are getting older.....faster.

Besides.......I've decided when my time is up....I'm not going. My wife is in her 70's too and we are presently raising our almost four year old autistic granddaughter......that really keeps us young. Comparitively speaking, duck hunting alone is way easier.
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I'm with Jim also. You know your limitations more than anyone. And you know what you can do. Do everything you csn as long as you can.
 
There is a place on the rt side of my back about half way between my skull and my ass that is raised up and about the size of A 50cent piece.
It doesn't hurt much any more,
but I distinctly recall when it came about.

Me and mike decided to take my mlb layout boat in the belly of the duckbomber and in order to load it up, we had to dump about 15 gallons of rainwater out of the damned thing first.

I went to flip her over and something went crack/snap/ twang... then after I got home from hunting, I unloaded it myself (again full of water from the drive home as it laid on its side in the belly of the duckbomber.)


I think i tore a muscle and it never healed up like it was before.

Your set up would have saved my back a lot of wear and tear i believe, and it might have made me walk less like john wayne.
 
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.... Hunting the Mississippi is a whole lot more fun than walking down to the "rec" room. To date it has been safer. I'll stop hunting alone when I am physically no longer able.
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Jim,

Bravo! It's only "pushing the envelope" when you think you can disregard everything you've learned to respect about the river through most of those years.

Sign tacked up over one of the windows in the studio:

View attachment 001 (600 x 399).jpg
 
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